Purple Rock Rose

A quintessential sun-loving Mediterranean shrub that is well-suited to the warmer, drier parts of the UK or sheltered coastal gardens. Cistus x purpureus is an evergreen shrub with a rounded, bushy habit and dark, wavy-edged green leaves that are slightly resinous. In mid-summer, it produces large, saucer-shaped flowers that are a vibrant rose-pink with a dark, reddish-maroon blotch at the base of each petal. Although individual flowers only last for a single day, they are produced in great profusion over several weeks. This plant is exceptionally drought-tolerant once established and thrives in poor, well-drained soils in full sun. It does not like to be hard-pruned, so it is best to only lightly trim after flowering to maintain a neat shape. It is a fantastic choice for a rock garden or a Mediterranean-style border.

Sun: Full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, poor to moderately fertile soil.

Hardiness: H4 — down to −10°C.

Flowering: Jun, Jul.